Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 223: Accident and accident, discovering Qianlong’s insidious plan

The plan to quickly capture Jiang Ning temporarily fell into a strange state.

Both sides are working hard, like lazy fishermen.

The Qing troops guarding Nancheng were delighted to see this, and even warned each other privately:

"Unless the rebels are serious about attacking the city, we should try not to load cannon shells in our cannons. Instead, fire empty cannons! Otherwise, we will kill the rebels and attract revenge. This is called reciprocity."

"While the Eight Banners soldiers are here, we still have to fight seriously."

"With the Eight Banners soldiers gone, let's just fire off cannons randomly and show off."

The green camp soldiers gathered together, guessing that it was too hot and the thieves could not attack.

Everyone is just eating together, so try not to hurt each other.

Beaten to death, it is the thieves chief and the governor who gain, but it is our subordinates who are injured and bleeding.

The sick Smith survived and successfully completed Siris's plan to pretend to be a missionary to Beijing.

……

Originally, he just wanted to rub the mud on his boots, but the stone monument tilted backwards and fell over.

“Why is it so hard for me to follow suit?”

Lying down war!
In the entire battlefield, only Zhao Erhu's group was busy, digging tunnels day and night.

"Why don't you smash people to pieces?"

The price of rice in Jiangning City unexpectedly increased by 3%.

"History books say that you led the Guangxi miners to blow up the Jiangning city wall, and the effect was amazing."

"I heard that the thief chief is from Suzhou. Can he get used to eating ducks so salty?"

"Why can't you get used to it? The emperor always praises our duck every time he goes to Jiangnan."

He had believed it one day before.

In fact, if King Dong had a spirit, he would definitely tell him with a sneer:
"Brother Tian, ​​I blasted Jiangning City at the end of February, when the groundwater level was at its lowest and the soil was frozen solid. But you, my friend, did it in mid-June."

It began to spread in the city that the thieves chief knew magic and could control the trajectory of cannonballs, just like Thunder Lord.

Patrolling in Nancheng has become a pretty good job.

Who lied is not worth investigating.

We can only wait silently for the day when the tunnel is successfully excavated.

For a moment, Li Yu hesitated whether to believe in God again.

The effect is pretty good, the prayers really come true.

Amidst the stumblings, the gears of history are pushed forward.

Li Yu inspected it twice and could only sigh silently when he saw the muddy soil.

Go to the city when you get there, rest there, and just don't stand around the area where the enemy artillery hits.

But the stone tablet he erected on Yuhuatai was knocked down by Li Yu's kick.

"A 30-pound iron lump hit me, tsk tsk. Let me tell you, no one dares to stand guard at Jubao Gate now."

Take a closer look:
"The foundation is so shallow? Did someone make money from it?"

"The thief chief is sitting on the rain flower terrace, eating salted duck, a specialty of Jiangning. When he has free time, he shoots into the city. How unethical."

It is unknown whether Qianlong ever praised Jiangning's duck.

Let Qianlong become Li Jiajun's first angel investor (voluntary), without signing a contract, without asking for shares, and without asking for anything in return! As the saying goes: His achievements are known to everyone, but his name is unknown to everyone.

"Is it because I don't believe in God?"

For a moment, he wanted to ask Dong Wang Yang Xiuqing for advice.

People in the street say he has a nose and eyes, as if he is the cannonball.

"The thief chief wore a Taoist robe and held a peach wood sword. He made a flying dragon and a phoenix on the yellow paper, and then attached it to the cannonball. The cannonball has become spiritual and is specially designed to hit people."

The groundwater level in Jiangnan is too high!

Jiangning City also relies on the Yangtze River, which makes it even more troublesome. The excavators have to bring wooden buckets in from time to time to clean up the accumulated water.

After all, there are stories everywhere about him eating local food and being very happy. Speaking of it, Qianlong was quite tasteless, and even one bite of rotten pancakes made him happy.

The clods of earth were hauled out and the wooden beams were brought in.

"what?"

……

Although there was no face-to-face communication, the two sides seemed to be on the same page and reached a consensus on the battlefield.

Li Xiaowu was also a little confused and said: "It probably rained too much recently and washed away some soil."

The entire excavation process is as slow as a snail and as hard as an ox, hey!
……

Li Yu couldn't learn from history books, nor could he go back in time to check history books.

The accompanying Director of the Publicity Department, Jia Xiaozhen, immediately stopped exploring the weather and said seriously:
"This is God's will. The monument was erected under the pretense of Qing Dynasty, but the master fell down with just a touch. What does it mean?"

The people around him were dumbfounded and did not dare to answer the question.

I heard the bald scholar Jia Xiaozhen say excitedly:

"It shows that the pseudo-Qing Dynasty has rotted away. It will fall to the ground with just a slight push from the master. Record it and promote it in Jiangnan."

"This stone tablet is the evidence."

Sure enough, publicity requires talent.

No serious person can do this, nor can it do it well.

Everyone looked at Jia Xiaozhen, took out a delicate notebook from his arms, and then took out a writing brush, and started recording after a few spells.

Look, the lord has already gone far away.

It is not appropriate for me to be present at this kind of thing, leaving it to my subordinates to express themselves freely, as everyone understands.

……

Surrounded by cavalry, Li Yu observed the city and the Purple Mountain from a distance.

Mancheng, in the east of Jiangning City.

And Purple Mountain happens to be connected with the city wall as a whole. Looking from a distance, there are many flags on the top of the mountain.

"Lord, according to the scout information, Purple Mountain is garrisoned by Eight Banners soldiers. The exact number of troops is unknown, but it should be quite a lot."

"What will happen if Purple Mountain is captured?"

"Then we can blow the whole city to pieces."

"Correct."

Li Yu suddenly remembered an army that he had hidden for a long time.

The Yunnan mountain people obtained by the caravan businessman Huang Sheng on many trips have never been to the battlefield.

A mountain infantry camp was set up in Qizishan on the outskirts of Suzhou. This group of people was stationed there and was familiar with the vegetation and climate of Jiangnan.

Military pay is paid on a monthly basis.

Military rations are delivered once every four days, so there will be no second thoughts.

So he immediately wrote a handwritten letter to transfer these people.

As soon as we returned to the camp, someone came to report in a hurry:
"My Lord, the envoy from Hubei Bailian is here."

"Oh?"

This time it was a strange face, not Song Qingcheng or Shi Yikai.

It was the former Yunyang magistrate, who was reused after surrendering to Bai Lian, and was in charge of Sima Shang in Dauchi for Emperor Hong Sheng.

……

At first glance, Li Yu could see this person's personality.

He is white and fat, with a slightly bowed waist, a submissive smile, and his eyes are downcast but focused accurately.

From a distance of 10 feet, this person's eyes locked onto him accurately.

Lifting up his robe, he walked forward quickly, walked up to him and held his hands at an angle of more than ninety degrees.

"Sima Shang, Bailian's envoy, pays homage to the commander-in-chief."

"It's hard work coming all the way, come on in."

"Thank you, Marshal."

Sima Shang entered the tent, but the four White Lotus guards following him were blocked outside.

Li Xiaowu pressed the handle of the knife and stretched out his hand to stop it, extremely arrogant:
"You guys, wait outside."

Sima Shang was secretly happy and felt sleepy on the pillow. He was looking forward to getting an opportunity to talk to the Southeast lord alone.

Observe your words and emotions, figure out your strength, there are many friends and many paths.

Highlight a flexible!
After entering the big account,
He suddenly looked solemn, took off his hat, patted his sleeves twice, and knelt on his knees:

"I pay my respects to Marshal Li."

"The ceremony outside the tent represents the Holy Kingdom, and the present ceremony represents the official himself."

Li Yu smiled, raised his hand and said:

"No courtesy, please sit down."

After the guards served tea, they stood back and stood in silence.

"Where is Mr. Sima born?"

"Xiaguan's ancestral home is Nanyang, Henan, and later moved to Cangzhou, Hebei. He is not afraid of the commander-in-chief's ridicule. He is a Jinshi and once served as the magistrate of Yunyang. Later, he abandoned the dark side and joined the bright side, serving under the Holy Emperor."

"It doesn't matter, good birds choose trees to roost in."

"Yes Yes."

After some pleasantries and testing, we got to the point.

"Xiaguan came here this time under the orders of the Holy Emperor. He hopes to cooperate deeply with your army and fight against the Qing Dynasty together."

Seeing that Li Yu didn't respond, he said again:
"Wuchang City is strong and cannot be attacked for a long time, so I want to buy a batch of siege cannons. I hope the commander can help."

……

Li Yu sighed, the meaning of which was self-evident.

"Our army doesn't have any extra artillery. Did you come here to see it? Our army is besieging Jiangning and the war is getting intense."

"Yes, I have been watching all the way. Your army is well-equipped. Each man has an automatic musket, and the artillery is like a dense forest. Only a handsome man can train such good soldiers and make such firearms." "

Li Yu picked up the tea bowl, took a sip, and asked slowly:
"Mr. Sima, do you have any suggestions for the current war situation?" "I don't dare, I don't dare."

"It doesn't matter. You don't serve as an official under my account, but it doesn't matter. The authorities are clear, but the onlookers are confused."

"The lower official doesn't know anything about military affairs. He only knows that the south of the Yangtze River is a treasure land of money and food. As long as you can collect taxes, you can raise a lot of soldiers. However, I'm afraid that the court~"

"I'm afraid you won't sit back and watch me grow bigger, right?"

"The handsome man has a sharp eye."

Li Yu suddenly remembered something and asked tentatively:
"On the Hubei battlefield, does the Qing army have no field strength left?"

Sima Shang was stunned, hesitated for a moment, and then said:

"The remaining green soldiers in Hubei only dare to huddle up and defend the city. Except for Wuchang City, most of the cities have planted the White Lotus Holy Flag. The few cities that are holding on can only barely hold on."

"Where are the Eight Banners soldiers?" Li Yu discovered the problem keenly. He looked at Sima Shang coldly, preparing to see something from his words and deeds.

……

"The Eight Banners from the capital moved south, but were blocked by Xiangyang, so they had no choice but to take a detour and cross the river to Jiujiang." Sima Shang's speech slowed down significantly as he was thinking.

Li Yu said nothing and leaned back on the chair.

He looked confident and confident, showing off his domineering attitude.

Sima Shang finally couldn't bear it anymore and asked in a low voice:

"Can you screen the left and right?"

Li Yu waved his hand, and the guards immediately waited outside the tent.

Only Li Xiaowu stood unmoving behind him. It was obvious that he was an absolute confidant and did not need to be avoided.

"Xiaguan took the waterway when he came from Hubei. When passing through Jiujiang, he saw Qing army ferries blocking the sky and the sun, and he couldn't see the side at a glance. Xiaguan could only temporarily hide in the reeds on the north bank for a few days, waiting for the Qing army to finish. Keep sailing."

Li Yu suppressed the turmoil in his heart and asked as calmly as possible:

"and after?"

"About five days later, the officers and soldiers and the warships withdrew. The flag seemed to be that of the Poyang Lake Navy. I took the boat down the river and saw many camps along the bank (the south bank of the Yangtze River). When I arrived near Jiangning, I encountered martial law on the river. We had no choice but to delay for several days and found out that it was the commander-in-chief who was besieging Jiangning, so we abandoned the ship and went ashore."

Li Yu's back began to sweat faintly, and he stood up uneasily and took a few steps.

Walked up to Sima Shang:
"Go on."

"Xiaoguan thinks that Beijing Banner may turn around and attack Jiangnan."

Li Xiaowu's eyes suddenly changed and he looked at Li Yu.

This information was too sudden and too late.

……

Sima Shang also stood up, feeling uneasy. With his long-term ability to observe people in officialdom, he could tell that Marshal Li was not prepared!

The temperature in Jiangnan in early summer was already sweltering, and the three people in the tent felt sweat on their foreheads.

After a while, Li Yu took a long breath and asked:
"How many days have passed since you were forced to dock in the upper reaches of Jiujiang?"

"11 days."

"Okay, come, let's have a banquet in honor of the White Lotus envoy."

"How virtuous and capable is this low-ranking official? How dare he be so generous to the commander-in-chief?"

Li Yu stretched out his hand, patted his shoulder and said:

"I will remember your love."

"Yes Yes."

Sima Shang felt that his bones were a little lighter, and he was extremely excited.

Then I heard Li Yu continue to preach:

"Although the war situation is difficult, I will always let you go back and have an explanation. You can stay here for a few days with peace of mind, and then go to Suzhou Mansion to collect the artillery."

"Thank you, Marshal."

At noon that day, Sima Shang was treated politely.

Jia Xiaozhen stayed with her throughout the whole process, drinking and composing poems, and was very affectionate.

Then we took a boat down the Grand Canal and enjoyed the scenery. Naturally, we talked about everything along the way.

Sima Shang was shocked by Li Jiajun's sophisticated weapons, and felt that the favor was not in vain.

No matter what, it's good to have Marshal Li's friendship.

Li Yu sold the three red cannons dismantled from Zhapu Fort to Sima Shang at a discount.

Let this guy eat a lot of the price difference.

Although these cannons are old, their size is impressive.

The White Lotus Sect would not look down upon it. Probably only the Li Jiajun and the Eight Banners of the Capital would look down upon such a cannon.

……

The ship goes up the river,

Sima Shang proudly unfolded the fan. It was an ordinary white paper fan. But because it was a gift from Li Yu, it was unusual.

The word "lang" is written on the fan.

It is said that this is a beloved thing that the Marshal always carries with him.

Sima Shang had no doubt about this because the fan showed signs of wear and tear.

Rewarding others with personal belongings is the highest form of expression of favor from those in power.

Gold and silver are nothing compared to this fan.

He secretly thought in his heart that the Qing court could not go back.

But after getting to know the Jiangnan native bully, if Bai Lian splits in the future, he will have an escape route.

Bang, he unfolded the fan and shook it twice.

There is a hint of romance in the coolness. It is indeed something that the commander plays with every day, and it is already tainted with a little bit of dragon spirit.

Sima Shang looked at the rolling water of the Yangtze River, with the corners of his mouth raised:

"The commander-in-chief calls me - an old friend of the Jiangnan people, eh."

Outside Jiangning City, there is the Li Jiajun camp.

No one is allowed to come within 50 steps of the big tent.

Dozens of officers, including battalion commanders and above, listened solemnly to Li Yu's explanation of the current situation.

"Everyone, the Eight Banners Army of the Capital will appear behind us soon. After they land in Jiujiang, they will march eastward along the river. Judging from their speed, they may appear at any time."

The Yangtze River is at the junction of Jiangsu and Anhui and flows from southwest to northeast.

The area along the river in Anhui is a long and narrow plain, so marching is not difficult.

The Li Jiajun camp is located in the south of Jiangning City, near Yuhuatai.

Without Sima Shang's reminder, this Qing army would happen to appear behind our own side, forming a pincer attack with Jiangning's Qing army.

"Everyone, let's discuss this."

……

Li Yu watched the officers below talking about each other, and he walked to Wu Simai's side.

"Have the scouts been sent out?"

"Don't worry, my lord, I will definitely bring back the news. Even if the horse runs away and dies, I won't hesitate."

"it is good."

Li Xiaowu suddenly entered the tent and whispered a few words.

Li Yu was stunned for a moment, then walked out of the camp and saw a familiar person.

Wang Liu!

I saw him covered in dust, and said anxiously when they met:

"There are a large number of Eight Banners soldiers passing through Chizhou Prefecture, carrying a large number of artillery. You must respond quickly."

Li Yu smiled. Danger reveals people's hearts.

Although Wang Liu is an idealist and not the same as himself, he is still somewhat loyal.

"How did you know?"

"I have attracted many refugees and miners in southern Anhui. Refugees came to Jiuhua Mountain to bring back news, and thousands of Eight Banners soldiers marched along the south bank of the Yangtze River. My lord, believe me, I will never be wrong."

"Take a rest for a while. I'll talk to you tonight. I just learned about this news."

Wang Liu was stunned and was taken aside.

I’m tired from traveling long distances. Let’s eat something and drink something first.

……

An officer in the tent proposed a plan to mobilize the navy to bombard the Beijing flag marching along the river, but there was no time!
Others proposed to abandon Jiangning and withdraw eastward to Changzhou Prefecture to confront the main force of the Qing army.

Some people also proposed a radical plan, which was to send the entire division south to send reinforcements first.

Some people also suggested that it would be great if Dangtu could be captured.

Dangtu County is the seat of Taiping Prefecture in Anhui Province.

This place is called by military strategists: Jinling Barrier and Jiankang Key.

Belongs to the south gate of Jiangning City!
If the city can be firmly defended, the Eight Banners reinforcements can only attack slowly.

The march cannot be continued until Dangtu is captured.

Li Yu listened to the heated discussion among the officers and made up his mind after just a cup of tea.

For those who want to do great things, hesitating when the opportunity arises is a taboo.

When it’s time to be cautious, be cautious, and when it’s time to take a risk, just push stud.

He drew out his sword with a clang, and the tent suddenly became silent.

"I have made up my mind. A small force will stay at the Yuhuatai camp, and the main force will move 15 miles south to fight the Eight Banners of the Capital in the Banqiao area."

"In this battle, I, the Li family army, will become famous all over the world and make the Qing court fearful! Let every family in Beijing banner wear filial piety! Let Hu Ma dare not cross the river from now on!"

After that, he cut off a piece of the corner of the table.

All the officers immediately knelt on one knee and shouted victory.

……

(End of this chapter)